Account Director – Corporate | Edelman Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Role

Serve as the primary or senior contact for clients

Create research-driven, creative communications programs that meet or exceed client objectives

Develop and oversee account teams’ performance, ensuring quality work is done, efficient processes are in place, and client requests are handled in a timely fashion

Use capabilities and resources across Edelman to meet client goals and budgets

Take immediate action upon client feedback and help solve client problems

Display understanding of Edelman consulting processes including public engagement, messaging workshops, master narrative assignments and stakeholder mapping exercises; lead aspects of these assignments

Demonstrate advanced writing skills

Craft and develop newsworthy pitches, recommend appropriate media strategies, and build relationships with journalists and social media influencers to achieve clients’ business goals

Demonstrate practical and advanced understanding of visual communications, social media and the digital landscape and how to incorporate these channels into client programs

Use qualitative and quantitative research to develop and evaluate client programs

Ensure performance expectations, career development plan and S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based) goals are set and reviewed annually during the formal performance review process for all direct reports

Provide ongoing, constructive feedback to staff, consistently hold them accountable, and address under-performance in a timely manner

Mentor, coach and support all team members, and ensure you and your staff are constantly developing abilities

Set achievable goals and tasks, delegate opportunities and provide resources for direct reports to meet their goals; consistently measure and recognize goal achievement

Oversee quality control of teams’ assignments including writing, pitching, proposals, and reporting

Encourage teams to participate in and talk about company-wide initiatives

Seek out, coordinate and facilitate cross-practice and cross-geographical teams to provide clients and prospects with the most compelling work

Cultivate business growth opportunities among existing and prospective clients Introduce existing clients to relevant Edelman capabilities, including resources outside of your own group, to advance clients’ business goals

Lead and contribute to new business proposals

Understand core financial constructs including revenue, profitability, pricing structures (hourly vs. retainer accounts), utilization, realization, budgeting and forecasting

Negotiate client and vendor contracts and manage client budgeting and authorization process prior to beginning work

Help ensure your team follows Edelman’s financial policies and processes

Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Edelman’s values (Quality, Integrity, Respect, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Mutual Benefits) and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and require direct reports to do the same

Lead by example; demonstrate strong work ethic, creative abilities and industry expertise

Communicate and inspire colleagues and staff through vision, goals and strategy for client teams and guide them to produce creative and effective outcomes

Build your PR and leadership skills through training

Advocate and employ cross-practice/office/geography convergence approach to staffing projects

Participate in the development and adoption of new products, services, intellectual property and thought leadership materials related to your areas of expertise

Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends and demonstrate expert understanding of how they integrate into communications programs.

Requirements

Corporate background

Experience in working in the region would be beneficial but not essential

7-8 years of relevant experience in public relations and/or related fields including research, advertising, management consulting, media and publishing.

Be able to lead and execute research-driven communications programs for clients to advance their business and brands.

Proven ability to help clients garner support, advance brands and/or corporate/organization reputations by engaging with key stakeholders: consumers, employees, investors, regulators, media, vendors, partners and/or other businesses/organizations.

Be able to develop revenue by growing profitable client relationships.

An understanding of how communications teams work from both client and agency-sides.

Be entrepreneurial and professional with impeccable written, verbal communication and presentation skills.

A record of successfully stewarding client budgets through planning, resource management, forecasting and vendor negotiations; and can help solicit and win new business.

A strong people manager able to attract, motivate, retain, empower and coach staff, and will possess the vision, insight and confidence necessary to manage a team.

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